L.051

A zinc cast lamp by R. Ditmar from the Historicism period, probably around 1875-1880. This lamp is shown in the Ditmar catalogue of 1897 as no. 6368.

A squat, wide-spreading cast zinc vase stands on a short foot and carries two handles that remind me of antique vases. The cast zinc ornamentation bears no resemblance to the later, exuberant ornamentation of eclectic Historicism; it is more reminiscent of playful arabesques of Moorish art.

The lamp was electrified by replacing the wick tube of the existing Kosmos burner with an electric socket. The burner was so gummy on the collar that I first removed the basket with a hot Bunsen flame and then immersed the font upside down in an acetone bath overnight to remove the burner from the collar.

When cleaning the lamp, I discovered remnants of copper bronze inside the vase. So I bronzed the zinc castings with copper wax, to which I had mixed some gold bronze.

The stone base made of slate is beautifully profiled and turned in steps. It is painted glossy black. Slate was R. Ditmar's preferred stone for base sections, provided the lamps were fitted with a stone base.

A few months later I was able to buy a 15’’’ Jupiter burner by Ditmar at an auction. From a collector friend I bought a very well fitting Paris shade and the 100 mm globe holder. Now the lamp has an appearance that matches the catalogue picture very well.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, Paris shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Base of profiled slate, painted black, with two larger chips, Ø 129 mm.
Vase of ornamental cast zinc, with its own foot fixed on the slate base, on the side two handles of cast zinc, vase inside marked with logo of Ditmar. Ø vase 150 mm, 203 mm with handles. In the vase a additional bowl of galvanised sheet iron, marked: R. Ditmar Wien.
Drop-in font of clear glass, cemented under the lid of cast zinc, removable. Font lid Ø 133 mm.

Burner:
15’’’ Jupiter burner of R. Ditmar, Vienna.
Wick knob marked: R. Ditmar Wien (logo of R. Ditmar).
Flat wick 68 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 263 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm.
Marked: Prima Kristall 14''' + crown.

Shade and shade holder:
Paris shade, white milk glass, clear glass at bottom, fluted top rim.
Height 180 mm, Ø fitter 102 and bulge 230 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 21.5 cm, total height with chimney 51.5 cm.
Total weight 3600 g.